"Many students cannot afford a quality backpack that will last the full school year," said Ms. Jo Anne Caines, Principal of La Cumbre Jr. High. "By mid-school year, you see students with their textbooks literally falling from the bottoms of their backpacks or with ripped handles. It is difficult for these students to focus on learning when they are concerned about how they’re going to bring their school books and supplies to class every day."

To address this issue, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC), and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBB&T) partnered on a program that will provide 500 free back-to-school backpacks filled with school supplies to 12 local schools throughout south Santa Barbara County, compliments of SBB&T.

Improving education is one of three major focus areas for UWSBC. During the next 10 years, UWSBC will work to achieve community driven 10-year goals to increase local high school graduation rates and the number of students reading at or above grade level in every grade by 50%.

"Getting backpacks to students who need them the most is just one piece of the larger picture", said Paul Didier, President and CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County, "Organizations, businesses and individuals have the power to work together and improve local education. To create change, especially long-term improvements, working together and living united is critical."

Santa Barbara Bank & Trust is the largest independent bank serving the Central Coast, with 47 branches in eight California counties. Since 1960, SBB&T has combined the breadth of financial products typically associated with larger financial institutions with the quality customer service that comes from doing business with a local community bank. SBB&T and its employees are well respected for 51 years of unwavering community partnerships, including financial assistance, in-kind donations, employee volunteerism, and free meeting space at its downtown Santa Barbara Community Partners Center.

SBB&T has been a long-time supporter of UWSBC’s goals and efforts to build a stronger and more vibrant Santa Barbara County community.